Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Alderman Alison Gowman

Randall Anderson and Barbara Newman declared a general interest in respect of item 4(f) as they are both residents of the Barbican Estate. 

To agree the public minutes and summary of the meeting held on 18 November 2013.

RESOLVED – that, the minutes of the meeting held on 18 November 2013 be approved.

Matters arising

Cycling in the City - Officers advised that the Mayor’s public consultation was underway and further information would be available later this week.  The consultation was due to finish on 14^th February and a report would be taken to the Planning and Transportation and Policy and Resources Committees at the end of February. 

BT Openreach – Officers advised that they had been in contact with BT and invited them onto the Considerate Contractors scheme. 

The Sub Committee considered a report of the Director of the Built Environment in respect of the detailed options appraisal for 8 – 10 Moorgate area. The project sought to raise the carriageway to footway level and introduce seating to create new public space in Tokenhouse Yard and Telegraph Street.  

In response to questions, officers advised that signage would be considered at Gateway 5 but it would be kept to a minimum.  However, enforceable traffic orders would be made very clear to the public.

RESOLVED – that:

1.     Option 1, as set out in the report, be adopted; ie the pedestrianisation of the eastern part of the street and a timed closure to vehicles for the remainder of the street.

_2.        The project progress to the next Gateway.

The Sub Committee considered a report of the Director of the Built Environment, which sought to enhance the user experience of Beech Street.  Members noted that since Beech Street had now been classified as a covered road, more options would be available. 

In response to questions, officers advised that the next report (Gateway 4) would consider issues such as access, the central reservation, escalators and lifts.  The report would also form part of the consultation on the Barbican Area Strategy and be reported to the next cycle of the Residents’ Consultation Committee and the Barbican Residential Committee. Finally, a ward member for Cripplegate, who was in attendance, advised members that a new consultation protocol was being prepared between Barbican residents and the City.

RESOLVED, that:

1.     All three options, as set out in the report be progressed to the next Gateway, subject to a full public consultation.

2.     An additional £19,000 be allocated to progress the project to the next Gateway, as set out in the table at Appendix 5 to the report.

The Sub Committee considered a report of the Director of the Built Environment, which sought to close the Paul’s Walk Western End project.   The Director of the Built Environment and the Chairman commended Clarisse Tavin for her excellent work on this project, which had included extensive negotiations with Network Rail. 

However, members were concerned about the behaviour of cyclists in this area and asked if there were any plans for calming measures.  The Police representative advised that cyclists were stopped and ticketed, being encouraged to attend awareness raising courses.  The Chairman asked if means to reduce cycling on the Riverside Walk be reported to the next meeting.

RESOLVED, that:

1.     The project be closed.

2.     The additional staff costs of £2,503 be met from the works and fees underspend on the project.

The Sub Committee considered a report of the Director of the Built Environment  in respect of proposed improvements to north-south lanes in the Bank area that act as ‘by-pass’ walking routes, avoiding the congested Bank junction. 

RESOLVED, that:

1.     Option 1, as set out in the report, be adopted. 

2.     The various sub options related to traffic management be further developed through a detailed traffic analysis, ahead of the next Gateway, to ensure that the requirements of each Lane are taken into account.

The Sub Committee received a progress report of the Director of the Built Environment in respect of the above project.  Members noted that the statue of Prince Albert at Holborn Circus was being cleaned and restored and ten places would be available for members to visit the statue, at a foundry in Poplar, on 30^th January 2014. Officers would contact members after the meeting and advise of the arrangements. The statue would be unveiled in early May 2014 and members agreed that the Lord Mayor should be invited to unveil it and that invitations should also be extended to the Mayors for London and Camden.    Members commended officers for this project and particularly the quality of their regular bulletins.

The Committee considered a progress report of the Director of the Built Environment in respect of the above project.  In response to questions about Listed Building compliance, officers agreed to check that replacements would be like-for-like.  In respect of possible damage to vents, should seating be removed, members noted that the replacement would be immediate.  Finally, members noted that the seating for the upper level of the Ben Jonson Highwalk was in abeyance, pending completion of the waterproofing project.  

Members noted that all projects have a ‘lessons learnt’ phase at the end; as part of the Gateway 7 report. 

RESOLVED – that, the seating and planters be removed from St Giles Terrace and Ben Jonson Highwalk and relocated to elsewhere in the City, for use by the City community, and seating similar to that present on site be put back before the delivery of the City’s improvement project. 

The Committee considered a joint report of the Director of the Built Environment and the Director of Public relations, outlining the major events planned for 2014.

During the debate and discussion the following items were raised/noted:

·       The Childrens Parade was always held on a Friday to ensure maximum attendance

·       Members were concerned at the large number of events and it was generally agreed that the number should reduce in future years.  It was suggested that events finishing early evening in the summer months might start later.

·       The impact on the night time economy for those events starting very early in the day should be considered. 

·       All sporting events in the City should be non-profit making, with all proceeds to charities.

·       Members generally favoured subtle lighting to the bridges, as used during the Olympics.  Officers advised that City bye-laws prohibited commercial exploitation of the bridges. 

In concluding, the Chairman noted that the same number of events as held last year was being proposed.  Members agreed to make a formal judgement when they received a detailed report in April. 

Members further noted that a report setting out Event Guidelines providing a framework to consider both new and existing events would come to the Sub Committee in April 2014. 

RESOLVED, that :

1.     The major events taking place in the City, as detailed in Appendix 1 to the report, be agreed.

2.     Progress and planning to date in relation to the Tour de France and Prudential Ride London cycling events be noted.

3.     A short-term road closure, on the same basis as 2013, be agreed  to allow the Children’s Parade event to take place on Friday 27 June 2014.

4.     A further report be presented to members in Spring2014 reviewing the Events Guidelines, including special event lighting for the City’s River

Members noted the following decisions, which had been taken under urgency provision since the last meeting:

·       Aldgate Highway changes

·       John Carpenter Street (Gateway 3/4/5) – the Chairman asked if the full report could be circulated to members

In response to a question about skateboarding, the Police advised that they frequently moved on skateboarders causing a public nuisance but there were limited judicial remedies.  Members were particularly concerned about public safety, anti-social behaviour and damage to street furniture.  The Chairman asked whether this behaviour was covered by City Bye-Laws and asked for a report to the next meeting.

The Assistant Director (Department of the Built Environment) was heard in respect of the Ludgate Hill Crossing Trial.    Members noted that the City had been very successful in obtaining £6Million for next year from TFL.   However, they had not made any budget allocation for Fleet Street Corridor Scheme.  As a result, the City did not have TfL funding for the proposed crossing trial in Ludgate Hill.  The next opportunity for TfL funding would be in the summer of this year, when there might be some TfL bus funding available. The Sub Committee were therefore asked whether they would like to revert to the S.106 funding route for this change.

Subsequent to the meeting, the Assistant Director confirmed that the cost estimates provided for the removal of the trial, should it be unsuccessful. 

RESOLVED – that, the Section 106 funding be used.